Gov. Dave Heineman today provided an update to citizens on the “Build Nebraska Act.” Legislative Bill 84 was signed by the Governor in 2011 which directs a portion of Nebraska’s existing sales tax to fund new road construction throughout the state.

“Good roads are important for economic growth and public safety,” said Gov. Heineman.

There are 17 capital improvement projects over a 10-year period. The first group of projects is planned for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and includes Highway 133 from Blair to Omaha, the Kearney East Bypass, the Wahoo Bypass, I-80 Eastbound 126‑96th Street in Omaha, I-80 Westbound-I‑480‑60th Street in Omaha, and I-680 Northbound-Center to Pacific in Omaha. All these projects are currently underway.

The second group of projects is planned for fiscal years 2016‑2019. These include I-80 NW of Lincoln, Highway 75 from Plattsmouth to Bellevue, the Heartland Expressway - Highway 385 Link 62A to Alliance, Highway 6 southeast of Hastings, Highway 30 from Schuyler to Fremont, and a new Highway 75 interchange southeast of Nebraska City.

The third group of projects is planned for fiscal years 2020-2023. These include a south beltway around Lincoln, widening Highway 30 west of Grand Island and Highway 34/75 from Murray to Plattsmouth, a new interchange for I-80 at 24th Street in Omaha, and conversion of at-grade intersections to interchanges at US 77 around west Lincoln.

“The Department of Roads is pleased to have under construction the much anticipated Wahoo Bypass, which is a new expressway on Highway 77 from Lincoln toward Fremont,” said Randy Peters, Director of the Nebraska Department of Roads. “We are equally pleased to proceed with Phase II of the Kearney East Bypass and to continue progress on a safer, new four‑lane divided highway between Blair and Omaha.”